Landon Donovan's phone was buzzing nonstop this week, and it's all because of a photo. Fernando Mendoza, the presumptive first overall pick in next week's NFL Draft, starred in a new Esquire photoshoot that instantly went viral for a very specific reason.

The image in question features Mendoza drinking from a water fountain, a pose that is a direct callback to one of the most iconic—and infamous—images in American soccer history. Back in 2002, a young Landon Donovan was photographed in a strikingly similar, somewhat seductive manner for a New York Times Magazine feature on the U.S. Men's National Team.

Seeing the 24-year-old homage, the USMNT legend couldn't resist weighing in. In a playful social media video, Donovan addressed the Raiders, his favorite team, who are expected to draft Mendoza: "Raiders, please pick Fernando Mendoza. Two, Fernando, little credit to the guy who did it first."

He then opened the floor to fans, sparking a fun debate about sports style and legacy. "Curious, who do you guys think did it better? I was the OG, he's bringing it back 24 years later... Let me know who did it better. I'm not sure I want to win this thing anyway, so maybe vote for him."

This lighthearted moment bridges generations of sports stardom, showing how a simple, stylish pose can create a lasting connection between a soccer icon and football's next big star.